Lignano Sabbiadoro has officially begun the countdown to the 2027 Summer European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), with the European Olympic Committees (EOC) marking one year until the prestigious youth multi-sport event returns to the Italian coastal city.
The milestone was celebrated in Lignano Sabbiadoro on Friday, with a special countdown event hosted by Alice Gnatta, the Italian rower who represented her country at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and recently claimed gold in the Women’s Double Sculls at the World Rowing Cup in Plovdiv.
The ceremony was attended by several notable guests, including Mayor Laura Giorgi, EOC EYOF Commission representative Eros Bologna, members of the local Progetto Autismo foundation, and student Valentina Polo, winner of the creative competition to design the official EYOF mascot, Doro the lizard.
Preparations for Lignano Sabbiadoro 2027 are already progressing, with organisers working towards delivering an event that will welcome around 4,000 athletes aged between 14 and 18 from across Europe. The festival will feature competitions in 14 sports between 24 July and 1 August 2027.
The 2027 edition will make history as Lignano Sabbiadoro becomes the first city to host the Summer EYOF on two occasions, following its successful staging of the event in 2005. The Friuli Venezia Giulia region also brings recent experience from hosting the 2023 Winter EYOF, further strengthening its credentials as a major destination for youth sport.
The European Youth Olympic Festival plays an important role in the development of young athletes, providing many participants with their first experience of an international multi-sport competition while promoting the Olympic values of respect, friendship and excellence.
The event’s official mascot, Doro the lizard, was unveiled earlier this year after a competition involving local students, with Valentina Polo’s design selected as the symbol of the 2027 festival.
EOC EYOF Commission Chair and Executive Committee Member Líney Rut Halldórsdóttir highlighted the importance of returning to Lignano Sabbiadoro after more than two decades.
“We are excited for EYOF 2027 and the opportunity to return to Lignano Sabbiadoro for a second time, 22 years after its first hosting. It is an excellent location for this event and offers young athletes a unique experience of a multi-sport competition,” she said.
Meanwhile, Lignano Sabbiadoro 2027 President Giorgio Brandolin expressed confidence in the preparations ahead of the event.
“Hosting the EYOF for a second time is a great source of pride for us, and we are determined to build on the legacy of 2005 to deliver a festival that reflects everything this region has to offer,” Brandolin said.
With one year remaining until the opening ceremony, Lignano Sabbiadoro and Friuli Venezia Giulia are preparing to welcome Europe’s most promising young athletes for what promises to be another memorable celebration of sport and Olympic values.
